After their star shortstop was pulled from Wednesday night's game with an injury, this is not the news that Cincinnati Reds and their fans wanted to hear. Zack Cozart injured his right knee during the game only to have an MRI Thursday. The exam revealed that Cozart tore a tendon and some ligaments in his right knee and will be out for the season reports Spencer Fordin of MLB.com.
The recovery time for Cozart is going to be nine months. He hurt his knee Wednesday slipping on first base while trying to beat out a grounder during a 5-2 Reds wins over the Philadelphia Phillies. The team did not receive any results before they headed out to Chicago for a four-game series vs. the Cubs that began Thursday night.
Cozart has been good for the Reds this season, hitting nine home runs with 28 RBI and an OBP of .310 to accompany a batting average of .258. Cozart has been one of the top offensive and defensive shortstops in the National League this season. He has been playing really well as of late on both sides of the ball -- offensively and defensively. He was most likely on his way to the All-Star game.
Cozart is great shortstop. He has great power at the top of the Reds' lineup. He typically produces 10 or more home runs a season. He is more of an RBI guy, but he will produce good numbers. He is also really good defensively. He knows how to use his glove, and he makes easy throws to get the runners out at first base.
The Reds are going to miss a lot with Cozart out of the lineup. He has been productive this season, a big part of both the Reds' offense and defense. Now with him gone, there is a big void at the shortstop position. Reds manager Bryan Price is going to have to shift people around, but nobody can replace the numbers and defense Cozart produced.
Once Cozart returns, he will be back and better than ever depending on if he has any setbacks or not during his rehab time. He will most likely be back on the field Opening Day next season. He will be 100 percent ready to dominate the game both offensively and defensively once again.